Time and the 'Lotus Sutra'.

摘要

The Lotus Sutra is one of the most popular Mahayana Buddhist sutras in history. The sutra expounds the messages that there is only 1 Buddha vehicle to enlightenment and that the Buddha's lifespan is immeasurable. Those who have studied the Lotus Sutra have often focused on these 2 messages. However, few have studied the factor of time within the sutra.;This thesis examines how the factor of time is used in the sutra in conjunction with the messages the sutra expounds. Based on the sutra, time is seen as non-dual and non-linear, lacking any substance, beginning, middle, or ending. Because of this, a Buddha can move beyond time and move others beyond time as well.;Because the Lotus Sutra was compiled over an unknown number of years, there are discrepancies in the chronological story of the sutra. This thesis suggests that the discrepancies were caused by the authors' intent to create a story based on precedent, balance, and logic.